Santos Mahogany

Scientific name:
Myroxylon peruiferum

Other Common Names:
Cabreúva, Cabreúva-amarela, Cabreúva-parda, Cabriúna,
Cabriúna-preta, Cabriúva, Cachaceiro, Catingueira, Cobaré,
Conduru-de-sangue, Gabriúva, Jataúba, Miroé, Óleo-cabureíba,
Óleo-de-bálsamo, Óleo-de-caboreíba, Óleo-de-caboreira,
Óleo-de-caboreíva, Óleo-de-vermelho, Óleo-pardo, Pau-bálsamo,
Pau-de-bálsamo, Pau-de-óleo, Pau-de-óleo-verdadeiro,
Pau-óleo-verdadeiro, Quina-morada, Quinaquina,

This species matures in a extensive range from southern Mexico southward through Central American and going along to Argentina. It’s an highly best-selling wood in the flooring world. Heartwood reddish brown becoming deep red or somewhat purplish upon exposure; fairly consistent to striped; sharply demarcated from the white sapwood; it has a beautiful spicy scent. The tree is known for its yield of balsam used in perfumes, harvested primarily in El Salvador.

Weight:
approx. density of 58 lb/ft³.

Uses:
flooring, furniture, and veneers

General Characteristics:
The sapwood of Santos Mahogany is pale brown while the heartwood is purplish-red in color. The species has an interlocked grain and possesses a medium grade texture.

Working Properties:
It is described to be moderately difficult to work but can be polished off smoothly with a high natural polish. Though non-siliceous, there is more than the regular dulling of cutters. This species sands well and takes a good finish.

Drying and Shrinkage:
Shrinkage from green to ovendry: radial 3.8%; tangential 6.2%; volumetric 10.0%. it can take some time to dry properly but does have good stability characteristics once dry.

Durability:
Santos Mahogany is one of the most hard and durable woods, over sixty percent harder than white oak, about seventy percent harder than red oak, and is over. Considered a strong, anti-fungal wood.

Index you maybe interesting in reading: Janka Hardness Hardwood Floor Scale

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